Egg-carrier.



M. K. SWARTZ.

EGG CARRIER.

APPIJCAHON FILED DEC. 19, 1913.

Patented May 4, 1915.

c V i F I QWLA l LET TPJE NORRIS PETERS 60., PHOTO-LITHCL, WASHINGTON,D. c.

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firis F/farney MARTIUS K. SWARTZ, OF NISSVJ'A, MINNESOTA.

EGG-CARRIER.

Application filed December 19, 1913. Serial No. 807,644.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTIUS K. SWARTZ, a citizen of the United States,residing at Nisswa,in the county of Crow Wing and State of Minnesota,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Egg- Carriers, ofwhich the following is a specification. 7

My invention relates to egg carriers, and has for its object to providea carrier for eggs which will be suitable for use in transportationthrough the mails, and will be of such construction that the same way beused over and over again and rendered sanitary and antiseptic at eachuse thereof.

The full objects and advantages of my invention will appear inconnection with the detailed description thereof and are particularlypointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, illustrating the application of my invention in oneform,Figure 1 is a sectional end elevation of my carrier showing thesame when placed in the shipping carton and when embodying eggs properlyheld in position. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the shipping crate with theparts extended. Fig. 3 is a side view of the same. Fig. 1 is an end viewof the crate with the parts extended similar to Fig. 2.

As shown, the crate comprises a pair of rectangular wire outer frames 10and 11 and a pair of similar inner or top frames 12 and 13 secured inproper spaced relation by wires 14- and 15, respectively, the top frames12 and 13 being hinged together at 16, preferably by means of a loop ofone of the spacing wires 14:, as shown in Fig.1.

The side wires of the outer frames 10 and 11 are connected by a seriesof transverse wires 17 and 18 in the same planes as the frames 10 and11. The number of these transverse wires is shown to be six butobviously a greater or less number may be employed, as required. To eachof the wires 17 are secured the lower ends 19 of spiral springs 20. Inthe form shown, two of such spiral springs are illustrated connectedwith each of wires 17, making a dozen in all, which is a convenient andpracticable form of the device. The other ends of the spiral springs 20will preferably be secured to a central wire 21 extending longitudinallyof the top frame 12. Similarly to each of the wires 18 are secured thelower ends 22 of Specifieation of Letters Patent.

Patented May a, 1915.

spiral springs 23 having their other ends see cured to a central wire 21 1n the plane of the top frame 13. When the respective frames arefolded together on the hinged portion, i I

the spiral springs 20 and 23, respectively, on each frame will come oneabove the other with the open tops in juxtaposition.

The respective spiral springs are so shaped as to form a space withinthe same when in juxtaposition for the reception of a single egg. Sincethe eggs are more pointed at one end than the other it is practicable tomake the springs for the reception of the pointed end of the eggsomewhat difierent in shape than the springs for the reception of thelarger end of the egg, but I do not wish to limit myself to anyparticular shape of the cooperating springs other than that which willreceive and hold an egg when the springs are in juxtaposed positionafter the closing of the frames.

As indicated in Fig. 4, the eggs will first be placed within one of thesets of springs, as 20, with the ends of the eggs all pointing in thesame direction. The other frame member 11, 13 will then be swung over onits hinges bringing the springs 23 over the parts of the eggs protrudingfrom springs 20, as indicated in Fig. 1. In the form shown this willinclose a dozen eggs, and each egg will be separately and yieldinglyheld, and yet held so that no substantial shock can be transmitted toany portion of the egg. The crate may then be inclosed in a carton 25,as indicated in Fig. 1, which carton may be of heavy fiberboard,pasteboard, wood, tin, or any other suitable material. The cartonobviously can be made to receive one or more of the complete egg crates,as desired. When so cartoned the eggs may be sent through the mail byparcels post with perfect safety.

The advantages of my egg carrying device will be apparent. By its use itwill be practicable for a consumer in the city to obtain fresh eggsdirect from the producer in the country, said eggs being transported byparcels post in the carriers of my invention without danger of breakage.The outer carton 25 is no part of the carrier proper, and will, ofcourse, be inexpensive and can be thrown away after use. The wirecarrier, however, will be returned and used over and over again, thesame being perfectly sanitary as it may be thoroughly disinfected bybeing boiled or treated with antiseptic liq uids after each use;

I claim:

1. A carrier for eggs comprising a pair of frames each consisting of tworectangular wire members held in spaced relation by wire uprights, saidframes being hingedly connected together in the planes of the inner ofsaid rectangular-members, the outer of said rectangular members beingprovided with a plurality of cross wires, spiral springs having the endadjacent the smallest coil connected to said cross wires and the endadjacent the largest coil to a Wire in the plane of the junction of thesections when the same are folded, the, juxtaposed coils ofcorresponding pairs of said spiral springs being then positioned toreceive and engage the walls of an egg.

to the outside of the section and at the end of the largest coil 'to awire in the plane of the junction of the sections when the same arefolded, the juxtaposed coils of corresponding pairs of said spiralsprings beingthen positioned to receive and engage the walls of an egg.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature 1n presence of two Witnesses.

MARTIUS K. swAnTz.

Witnesses:

F. A. WHITELEY,

A. BOWMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, 1).,0.

